Retired linebacker Junior Seau was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence early Monday -- and then drove his vehicle off a cliff after his release.

Seau was arrested in Oceanside, Calif., and transported to a nearby jail where he was released on bail, a San Diego Sheriff's Department spokesperson told FanHouse. Hours after his release, Seau's Cadillac SUV was found at the bottom of a cliff in nearby Carlsbad.

"Preliminary Investigation shows the vehicle left the roadway and traveled over the cliff, landing on the beach below," the Carlsbad Police Department said in a news release. "The vehicle was only occupied by the driver, a male who was identified as Junior Seau."

He was transported to Scripps La Jolla Hospital with unspecified injuries. The Carlsbad PD said an investigation is underway to determine what led the accident that was reported at 8:42 a.m. PT

Seau played 13 seasons for the San Diego Chargers -- then seven additional years between Miami and New England -- and is one of the region's most beloved figures. He owns two restaurants in the area and his non-profit organization has donated thousands to area charities. Seau most recently starred on Versus' "Sports Jobs with Junior Seau."

A message left with Versus was not immediately returned.

TMZ.com was the first to report the arrest, which occurred around 2 a.m. PT.